Sharon Thompson and Sanchia Alasia Finalists at Baton Awards 2020 for Political Figure of the Year

Success at Baton Awards

Operation Black Vote alumni Sharon Thompson and Sanchia Alasia took centre stage at the Baton awards as both were shortlisted as finalists for The Political Figure of the Year award. The pair were joined by Public Liaison Officer for Greater London Lorraine Eyers who rounded off the shortlist. In the end, it was Councillor Sharon Thompson who emerged victorious and was announced as the winner of the 2020 Political figure award.

It has been the culmination of significant work over a tumultuous year which has seen her ultimately declared the winner. She is the ​Birmingham City Council Cabinet Member for Homes and Neighbourhoods and has been a Councillor since 2014. Addressing homelessness and rough sleeping has long been central to her work in politics.

More than most, she is vocal on the need to enact measures to properly support Birmingham's rough sleeping community.

Her commitment to this cause eventually saw her appointed Cabinet Advisor for Homelessness from 2017-2018 before relinquishing the position in May 2018 upon finally being appointed to Cabinet. The pandemic has offered its own set of challenges but she has still found time to support many promising platforms and causes.

The most notable of these has been Black Pound Day but she has even found time to lend a helping hand to OBV's very own Birmingham Civic Leadership Programme, having given insight to this year's cohort. Sharon's relationship with OBV dates back to 2007 and her continual rise up the ranks is illustrative of the effectiveness of determination when paired with guidance and most of all opportunity.

Sanchia Alasia highly commended on the night

Sanchia Alasia's presence on the shortlist was also a surprise to few. Having participated in the 2006/07 OBV MP shadowing scheme her career in politics has been long and fruitful, going on to serve as Mayor of Barking and Dagenham and even being named as one of the UK's 50 most inspirational Black women by African Glitz.

Her knowledge of European politics and social services is especially broad having previously stood as a candidate to be an MEP. She was given the accolade of highly commended at the Baton awards. The fact that both continue to excel as councillors and members of their respective communities is a source of great pride for us at OBV. We're sure there will be much more success to come.

OBV

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